Lock for grease-cups.



R. 0. HUGHES.

, LOOK FOR GREASE CUPS.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 17, 1912.

1,69,7OL. Patgnted Aug. 12,1913.

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.noiinn'r. 0. nuennsor MANKero, MINNESOTA, AssreNon or GNE-HALF To BENNETT WILLIAMS, OF MANKATO, MINNESOTA.

LOOK FOR GREASE-CUPS.

Specification of Letters 1atent.

Patented Aug. 12, 1913.

Application filed October 17, 1912. Serial No. 726,383

To all whomrz' may concern Be. it known that I, Bonner O. HUGHES, a citizen of the United'States, residing at Mankato,in the'countyof Blue Earth and State of Minnesota, have invented new and useful Improvements in Looks for Grease- Cups, of which the following is a specification.

\ This invention relates to that type of lubricating devices for machinery known as grease cups,,and comprises a cup-shaped receptacle having a threaded stem which is screwed into. a threaded opening in the machine to which it is applied adjacent the bearing, the outer end of the receptacle be- 'ing closed by a removable plug preferably screw-threaded into the cup which on being rotated in the proper direction forces the lubricant in the receptacle through the bottom onto the hearing.

The object of this invention is to provide V a simple, positive and sure means for simultaneouslylocking the cup on the machine and the plug in the grease-cup in such manner that while permitting the cup to be unscrewed when necessary by a proper manipulation of the lock, and the plug to be turned at will to force the lubricant out of the cup, neither can become loosened nordrop from the machine through accident. Devices of this kindwhich are used on side bars and connecting rods of locomotives and on other parts of rapidly moving machinery are liable to be unscrewed or have their screw plugs shaken out by the jar or shock incident to high speed and rapid motion and to prevent such accidents, the means hereinafter described have been devised to lock these parts securely against loss Without interfering with their proper functions.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 1s a side elevation of a grease-cup attached to a portion of a machine and provided with the improved lock. Fig. 2 is a vertical, central, sectional view of. the same. Fig. 3 is a top 'lan view. I

In t e drawings, wherein' like reference characters are used to designate the same parts in all the figures, indicates a greasecupor oil receptacle of any approved type;

shown in the drawings as formed'ivith a polygonal collar 11 on its lower end by means of which it is rotated on the application. of a wrench, and a projecting stem 12 I on its underside threaded to screw into a connecting bar or other part A to be lubri cated. The cup 10 has an interior chamber 13 extending entirely through the cup and its stem from end to end to receivethe lubricant, preferably a hard grease. The upper or outer end of the chamber 13 is intemorly screw-threaded for a threaded plug closure 14 from the top of which projects a polygonal stud by which it is turned. A hole 15' is bored axially into the plug closurefrom its upper end nearly to its lower end, but not passing through the plug.

Extending from end to end of the greasecup at one side and projecting a short distance beyond its wall is a straight offset or rib 16, in which is formed from its underside a long socket 17 terminating at 17 a suitable distance from the top of the cup,

from which point a round hole 18 continues.

to the top of the cup. Slidably mounted in the hole 18 and projecting downwardl into the socket 17 is one leg 19 of a U-sliaped locking member 20, threaded on its lower end for a nut 21 between which and the termination 17 of said socket is a coil spring 22 surrounding said leg 19. The other leg 23 of the locking member is shorter than the leg 19 and projects into the hole 15 in the 15 is made sufficiently large to permit the plug rotating freely about the leg 23.

The leg 19 of the locking member projects slightly below the bottom of the grease-cup and engages a hole or depression 34 in the part A to lock the grease-cup against turning. The tension of the spring may be adjusted by rotating the nut.

When it becomes necessary or desirable to remove the plug closure 14, the closure is unscrewed until the thread thereon is clear of the thread in the cup. The bottom of the hole 15 will, during the latter part of this operation abut against the bottom of the leg 23 of the locking member and raise it a short distance, compressing the spring 22.

The plug is then lifted bodily until above the edge of the cup, further compressing the spring, after which it is swung to one side until clear of the cup when it will drop 011' the leg 23 of the lock. To remove the cup from the part A the locking member is drawn up until the end of the leg 19 is free of the hole or depression 24, the cup may then be turned to unscrew it.

With this device a simple and sure means is provided for locking both the grease-cup and its plug closure in place and insuring against loss of either member.

This device is one that may be cheaply made, is of few parts, noiseless, and perfectly adapted to all requirements.

What I claim is,-

1. A device of the character described comprising a grease-cup formed with a socket in one side parallel to its axis, a plug closure for the cup arranged to rotate and move longitudinally of said cup and provided with an axial opening extending a suitable distance into the plug from the top, a U-shaped locking member one leg of which is mounted to slide and turn in said socket, the other leg projecting loosely into the axial opening in the plug closure, and a spring in said socket surrounding the leg of the locking member therein adapted to hold the other leg of the locking member in engagement with the plug closure.

2. A device of the character described comprising a grease-cup formed with a socket in one side parallel to its axis, a screw-plug closure for the cup provided with an axial opening extending into the plug from the top nearly to its opposite end, a

U-shaped locking member one leg of which is mounted to slide and turn in said socket and project a short distance below its bottom}. the other leg projecting loosely into the opening in the plug closure about which leg said closure may turn freely, a spring in said socket surrounding the leg of the locking member therein adapted to hold said leg connected to\the part supporting the grease-cup to prevent the cup turning and to hold the other leg of the locking member in engagement with the plug closure, and means on the leg in the socket for adjusting the tension of the spring.

3. A lock for a grease-cup and its plug closure comprising a U-shaped locking mem-- her one leg of which is mounted to slide and turn in the side of the grease-cup and engage the part tovvhich the cup is attached, the other leg adapted to engage the plug closure, and a spring acting on the sliding leg to yieldingly hold the locking member in operative position.

4. A lock for grease-cup plug closures comprising a U-shaped locking member one leg of which is mounted to slide and turn in the side of the grease-cup, the other leg adapted to engage an axial opening in the plug closure, and a spring acting on the sliding leg to hold the other leg 'in its engagement with the plug closure to prevent withdrawal of the latter from the grease-cup while permitting rotation and longitudinal movement therein.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BENNETT WILLIAMS, GEO. H. HEMPERLEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of- Patents, Washington, D. G. 

